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Env. Science > Exam 2 Flashcards > Flashcards

Exam 2 Flashcards

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1
Q

What are the four basic parts of soil

A
  1. Minerals
  2. Organic Materials
  3. Water
  4. Air
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2
Q

Describe the basic parts of the soil - Minerals

A

Sand, silt, and clay particles provide structure for the soil.

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3
Q

Describe the basic parts of the soil - Organic Materials

A

Rotten plant and animal materials, as well as living (living things). Important for soil life-creating ability and structure.

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4
Q

Describe the basic parts of the soil - Water

A

Moisture in soil contains dissolved nutrients. Supports soil organisms and is essential for plant growth.

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5
Q

Describe the basic parts of the soil - Air

A

Fills the spaces in soil not occupied by water. Essential for root breathing and the survival of soil organisms that need oxygen.

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6
Q

What are the five factors that contribute to soil development

A
  1. Climate
  2. Organisms
  3. Parent Material
  4. Topography
  5. Time
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7
Q

List the factors that contribute to soil development - Climate

A

Temperature, precipitation, and other climate conditions affect the weathering of parent material and the rate of organic matter decomposition.

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8
Q

List the factors that contribute to soil development - Organisms

A

Organisms, such as microbes, fungi, and burrowing animals, play a crucial role in breaking down organic matter in cycling nutrients.

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9
Q

List the factors that contribute to soil development - Parent Material

A

The type of underlying rock or sediment that the soil is formed from, influences the mineral composition and texture of the soil.

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10
Q

List the factors that contribute to soil development - Topography

A

The slope, aspect, and elevation of the land affects factors like drainage, erosion, and deposition, which shape soil development.

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11
Q

List the factors that contribute to soil development - Time

A

Soil formation is a slow process, and it can take hundreds or thousands of years for a mature soil profile to develop.

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12
Q

List all 6 Soil Horizons

A
  1. O horizon (Organic horizon)
  2. A horizon (Topsoil)
  3. E Horizon (Eluviation Horizon)
  4. B Horizon (Subsoil)
  5. C Horizon (Parent material)
  6. R Horizon (Bedrock)
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13
Q

List in appropriate order the various soil horizons - O horizon (Organic horizon)

A

Uppermost layer, consisting of decomposing organic matter, such as leaves, twigs, and humus.

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14
Q

List in appropriate order the various soil horizons - A horizon (Topsoil)

A

Mineral-rich, dark-colored surface layer, contains a high concentration of organic matter & supports plant growth.

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15
Q

List in appropriate order the various soil horizons - E horizon (Eluviation horizon)

A

Lighter-colored layer where clay, iron, and aluminum have been leached out, leaving behind more resistant materials like quartz.

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16
Q

List in appropriate order the various soil horizons - B horizon (Subsoil)

A

This is the Layer where materials leached from the upper horizons accumulate, such as clay, iron, and aluminum.

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17
Q

List in appropriate order the various soil horizons - C horizon (Parent material)

A

This is the layer of partially weathered bedrock or unconsolidated material that serves as the parent material for soil formation.

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18
Q

List in appropriate order the various soil horizons - R horizon (Bedrock)

A

This is the layer of solid rock that lies underneath the soil layers and has not been broken down or weathered.

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19
Q

List the names of the ecosystem services from soil

A

Provisioning services

Regulating services

Supporting services

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20
Q

Discuss ecosystem services from soil - Provisioning services

A

Soil supports food production by providing nutrients and a medium for plant growth. It’s also a source of raw materials like peat and clay.

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21
Q

Discuss ecosystem services from soil - Regulating services

A

Soil plays a crucial role in water filtration and purification. It helps regulate the water cycle by storing and releasing water, and it can break down pollutants. Soil also contributes to climate regulation by storing carbon.

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22
Q

Discuss ecosystem services from soil - Supporting services

A

Soil is fundamental for nutrient cycling, providing a habitat for microorganisms, insects, and other organisms that are essential for decomposition and maintaining soil health. It supports biodiversity both above and below ground.

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23
Q

Desertification

A

Is the process where fertile land becomes a desert.

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24
Q

List three eroding agents

A

Wind

Water

Ice (glaciers) (redo)

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25
Q

List three anthropogenic causes of erosion

A

Deforestation

Overgrazing

Over-tilling

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26
Q

Industrialized Agriculture:

A

Modern, large-scale system of food production that utilizes advanced machinery, infrastructure, agrochemicals, and monoculture practices to maximize crop yields and enable the mass distribution of food.

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27
Q

Subsistence Agriculture

A

A small-scale farming system where farmers have small plots of land and primarily grow food to support their own families, with only a small amount produced for income.

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28
Q

Subsistence Agriculture

A

Low tech methods

Small scale farms crop production, for themselves and their communities (local)

Focus on self sufficiency

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29
Q

Industrial Agriculture

A

High technology & machinery

Mass production/distribution of food

Produces food commercially

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30
Q

Example of industrialized agriculture

A

The building of roads and/or the railway systems for mass transportation of crops.

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31
Q

Example of subsistence agriculture

A

Communities in villages planting crops near canals.

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32
Q

List 5 advances in tech and practices that transformed traditional agriculture to modern intensive agriculture

A

Machinery

Infrastructure

Fertilizers

Pesticides

Irrigation

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33
Q

Explain the advances in technology and/or practices that transformed traditional agricultural practices to modern intensive agriculture - Machinery

A

Machinery like tractors allowed for a mass scale of production of crops.

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34
Q

Explain the advances in technology and/or practices that transformed traditional agricultural practices to modern intensive agriculture - Infrastructure

A

Building of roads allowed for mass transportation of crops to a variety of places.

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35
Q

Explain the advances in technology and/or practices that transformed traditional agricultural practices to modern intensive agriculture - Fertilizers

A

Allow us to produce more crops on the same land without needing to worry about soil fertility, as they help keep the land fertile.

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36
Q

Explain the advances in technology and/or practices that transformed traditional agricultural practices to modern intensive agriculture - Pesticides

A

Allow farmers to get rid of pests, enabling them to effectively control and manage their crops.

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37
Q

Explain the advances in technology and/or practices that transformed traditional agricultural practices to modern intensive agriculture - Irrigation

A

A system that waters crops for farmers, even during dry seasons.

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38
Q

Explain food security and food insecurity

A

Food Security: Is assured access for every person to have enough nutritious food for an active and healthy life.

Food insecurity: A state of being without reliable access to a sufficient quantity of affordable food (change this later)

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39
Q

Discuss the benefits associated with GM crops

A

GM crops are developed to address food security issues by introducing favorable traits

GM crops are developed to handle tough environments and resistance (like droughts)

GM crops can provide higher nutritional contents

40
Q

Discuss the challenges associated with GM crops

A

Introducing the gene of one species into another may create uncertainty regarding potential allergens.

Pests can multiply quickly and may evolve to become resistant to GM crops.

GM crops can eliminate local varieties, impacting diversity in agriculture.

Farmers may face economic pressures to buy specific seeds from companies, limiting their ability to choose and maintain local varieties.

41
Q

Aquaponics

A

Combines aquaculture (raising fish) with hydroponics. The fish waste provides nutrients for the plants, while the plants filter the water for the fish, creating a symbiotic relationship

42
Q

Permaculture

A

Designs agricultural systems to mimic natural ecosystems. It integrates perennial plants, fruit trees, herbs, and flowers to create a diverse, self-sustaining environment that requires minimal external inputs

43
Q

Hydroponics

A

Method of growing plants without soil, using nutrient-rich water solutions

44
Q

List sustainable food production methods

A
  1. Providing Nourishment
  2. Protecting the Environment
  3. Ensuring Food Quality
45
Q

Describe sustainable food production - Providing Nourishment

A

There is a critical need to produce more food, especially given the significant food waste, particularly in the United States. The goal is to enhance the quality of food produced.

46
Q

Describe sustainable food production - Protecting the Environment

A

Sustainable practices aim to eliminate the harmful effects of mass food production on the environment. This includes reducing the use of pesticides and synthetic fertilizers.

47
Q

Describe Sustainable Food Production - Ensuring Food Quality

A

Sustainable food production must prioritize nutrition and food quality to be considered truly sustainable.

48
Q

Silvopasture

A

The deliberate integration of trees and grazing livestock operations on the same land. (rewrite)

49
Q

Regenerative agriculture

A

A farming system that aims to restore and improve soil health, water resources, and biodiversity, while also protecting the climate.

50
Q

Explain how urban farming can help with food insecurity

A

Increased Access to Fresh Produce: Urban farms provide local, fresh fruits and vegetables in areas that might otherwise be food deserts. This is particularly important in urban areas where access to affordable, nutritious food is limited.

Improved Food Quality: Locally grown produce is often fresher and more nutritious than food that has traveled long distances. This can help improve the overall diet quality of urban residents.

Utilization of Urban Spaces: Urban farming can transform unused or underutilized spaces like rooftops, vacant lots, or even abandoned buildings into productive food-growing areas.

51
Q

List and describe three types of pests

A
  1. Agricultural pests: Feed on crops, plants, or animals.
  2. Veterinary pests: affect domestic animals.
  3. Medical pests: attack humans.
52
Q

Pests

A

Defined as organisms that interfere with human activity.

53
Q

“Natural” chemical pest control practices

A

Chemical pest control needs to be applied very precisely, and it can have harmful side effects on various organisms, not just the targeted pests.

54
Q

“Natural” ecological pest control practices

A

Ecological pest control, when properly planned and implemented, requires detailed knowledge of the pest’s life cycle and ecological niche and uses natural predators and natural chemicals to manage pest populations effectively.

55
Q

List the various types of ecological pest control practices

A
  1. Cultural control
  2. Use of Natural enemies
  3. Use of natural chemicals
  4. Biological Control
56
Q

Describe the various types of ecological pest control practices - Cultural Control

A

Manipulating cultural factors to control pests without damaging the environment or impacting human health.

57
Q

Describe the various types of ecological pest control practices - Use of Natural Enemies

A

Using other organisms as natural predators or competitors to control the pest species.

58
Q

Describe the various types of ecological pest control practices - Use of Natural Chemicals

A

Utilizing naturally occurring chemicals to control pests, rather than synthetic pesticides.

59
Q

Describe the various types of ecological pest control practices - Biological Control

A

Introducing a natural predator or competitor of the pest species to control it.

60
Q

Biomagnification

A

The multiplying effect of bioaccumulation in organisms up the food chain.

61
Q

Bioaccumulation

A

Overtime, small amounts of chemicals build up to toxic levels in organisms.

62
Q

Identify the main sectors that uses water and for what purpose

A
  1. The main sector for water use is in the agricultural industry, where water is used for irrigation of crops, and livestock
  2. The second main sector for water use is for domestic use, which is significantly smaller but is used for showers, drinking water, cooking, cleaning, etc.
63
Q

Consumptive water use

A

Water that cannot be used again after its first use.

64
Q

Non-consumptive water use

A

Is water that can be reused after initial use.

65
Q

Aquifer

A

A body of rock and/or sediment that holds fresh water below the ground surface.

66
Q

Watershed

A

Is an area of land that collects water in a given area and then channels it through streams, rivers, and eventually to a bay or the ocean.
(rewrite)

67
Q

Describe the results of over extraction of groundwater

A
  1. Groundwater in arid regions have no recharge.
  2. Ground water reservoirs are overused, especially for agricultural practices.
  3. Water levels drop significantly.
  4. Overuse of groundwater (usually due to agricultural use.
  5. Sinkholes.
  6. Saltwater intrusion.
68
Q

Saltwater intrusion

A

Creates a pressure gradient that forces salt water from the nearby ocean to move into the aquifer and contaminate the fresh water supply.

69
Q

Advantages associated with dams

A
  1. Dams help regulate water flow, reducing the risk of downstream flooding during heavy rainfall or snowmelt
70
Q

Disadvantages associated with Dams

A

Environment: Dams significantly alter ecosystems, affecting fish migration patterns and disrupting natural river flows

Community: Large dam projects often force the relocation of people living in the area to be flooded.

Natural Disaster: Some large dams can increase the frequency of earthquakes in the surrounding area due to the weight of the water and changes in pressure on fault lines.

71
Q

List ways to address water supply issues

A
  1. Water catchment systems
  2. Desalination
  3. Xeriscaping
  4. Drip irrigation
  5. Treadle pump
72
Q

Describe ways we can address water supply issue - Desantilization

A

Gathering salt water and removing/desalting the salt water into fresh water

73
Q

Describe ways we can address water supply issue - Xeriscaping

A

Using plants that don’t use water.

74
Q

Describe ways we can address water supply issue - Drip Irrigation

A

Irrigation system that slowly and precisely applies water directly to the roots of plants.

75
Q

Describe ways we can address water supply issue - Treadle pump

A

Manually-operated water pump that uses a stepping motion to draw up and release water.

76
Q

Define water pollution

A

The addition of harmful constituents (pollutants) to water bodies

77
Q

Point source pollution

A

Originates from a single identifiable sources of pollution

78
Q

Nonpoint-source pollution

A

Have inputs that covers a large area or diffuse sources

79
Q

Identify water pollution control strategies

A
  1. Educating farms on using less fertilizers
  2. Creating buffer zones around farms
  3. Regulating pollutant concentrations through water quality standards
  4. State-level monitoring and enforcement of water quality
  5. Reducing sediment inputs from construction, mining, etc.
80
Q

Identify water pollution treatment strategies

A
  1. Wastewater treatment plants
  2. Septic Systems
  3. Composting toilets
  4. Living Machines
  5. Gray water systems
  6. Buffer Zones
  7. Reducing Fertilizer Use
  8. Stormwater Management
  9. Point Source Pollution Control
  10. Non-Point Source Pollution Management
81
Q

Wastewater Treatment Plants

A

These facilities use multiple stages to remove contaminants from sewage and wastewater before releasing it back into the environment. This includes primary treatment to remove solids, secondary treatment using biological processes, and sometimes tertiary treatment for further purification

82
Q

Septic Systems

A

Systems treat wastewater on-site by allowing solids to settle in a tank while liquid filters through soil before reaching groundwater

83
Q

Composting Toilets

A

System that uses natural decomposition processes to treat human waste without water.

84
Q

Living Machines

A

Engineered wetland systems that use natural processes to clean wastewater.

85
Q

Gray Water Systems

A

These systems reuse water from sinks, showers, and other non-toilet sources for irrigation, reducing overall water consumption and pollution.

86
Q

Buffer Zones

A

Creating vegetated areas along waterways to capture excess nutrients and prevent them from entering water bodies, particularly useful in agricultural settings.

87
Q

Reducing Fertilizer Use

A

Educating farmers on proper fertilizer application to minimize runoff and nutrient pollution in waterways.

88
Q

Stormwater Management

A

Implementing systems to capture and treat runoff from urban areas before it enters natural water bodies.

89
Q

Point Source Pollution Control

A

Regulating and monitoring discharge from identifiable sources like factories and wastewater treatment plants.

90
Q

Non-Point Source Pollution Management

A

Developing strategies to address diffuse sources of pollution, such as agricultural runoff and urban areas.

91
Q

Assess the success of Clean Water Act

A
  1. The successes of the Clean Water Act are..
  2. About 223 million people/homes have adequate sewage treatment plants.
  3. Soil erosion has been reduced by 1 billion tons/year.
  4. 67% of U.S water is safe for fishing and swimming.
  5. Heavily used rivers, lakes, and bays are restored
  6. Toxic levels in the Great Lakes are reduced
92
Q

List and Describe the alternative energy options

A
  1. Electric Power
  2. Nuclear power
  3. Solar Energy
  4. Hydropower
93
Q

Advantages and Disadvantages of Electric power

A

Advantages
1. Use of energy isn’t polluted

Disadvantages
1. Generating electricity creates pollution

94
Q

Advantages and Disadvantages of Nuclear power

A

Advantages
1. Sustainable, long use

Disadvantages
1. Accident potential, don’t know how to dispose of waste, and mining uranium ore

95
Q

Advantages and Disadvantages of Solar energy

A

Advantages
1. We get lots of energy from solar
2. Does not alter anything on earth
3. Can be more affordable for electricity and water

Disadvantages
1. Tech is still expensive
2. You still need a backup generator
3. Manufacturing panels produces pollution
4. Not fully sustainable for colder places or places with less water
5. Harmful for birds- birds can get burned by solar panels

96
Q

Articulate the reasons for seeking out alternate sources of energy

A
  1. Oil is a finite resource that is running out
  2. Renewable energy allows people who don’t have access to a consistent source of energy will now have consistent energy.

Env. Science (1 decks)

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